Retractable Load Support System

ABSTRACT

A retractable load support system for effectively lifting a load in a controlled manner. The retractable load support system includes a frame, a gerotor attached to a main shaft within said frame, a first spool attached to the gerotor, a biasing device connected to the first spool applying a biasing force to the first spool and an elongated member attached to the first spool. The main shaft is rotatably supported within the frame by a one way bearing allowing the main shaft to rotate when the elongated member is drawn downwardly to reduce the resistance of the gerotor. The main shaft is supported substantially stationary within the frame by the one way bearing preventing the main shaft from rotating when the elongated member is drawn upwardly onto the first spool thereby lifting the load in a controlled manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable to this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to bicycle storage devices andmore specifically it relates to a retractable load support system foreffectively lifting a load in a controlled manner.

2. Description of the Related Art

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Bicycle storage devices have been in use for years. Conventional bicyclestorage devices are typically comprised of non-movable hook structurethat is attached to the ceiling or a wall. One or both of the wheels arethen positioned upon the non-movable hook to elevate the bicycle abovethe floor of a garage or other area.

The main problem with conventional bicycle storage devices is that theyrequire the user to manually lift the bicycle which can requiresignificant physical effort. In addition, lifting a bicycle can bedifficult because of the awkward and unbalanced nature of the bicycle,particularly with the front wheel of the bicycle rotatably attached tothe frame of the bicycle. A further problem with conventional bicyclestorage devices is that they are not suitable for use on ceilings ofextreme heights.

While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to whichthey address, they are not as suitable for effectively lifting a load ina controlled manner. Conventional bicycle storage devices do not providefor a convenient system for raising and lowering a load with respect toa storage position.

In these respects, the retractable load support system according to thepresent invention substantially departs from the conventional conceptsand designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatusprimarily developed for the purpose of effectively lifting a load in acontrolled manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofbicycle storage devices now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new retractable load support system constructionwherein the same can be utilized for effectively lifting a load in acontrolled manner.

The general purpose of the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new retractable loadsupport system that has many of the advantages of the bicycle storagedevices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in anew retractable load support system which is not anticipated, renderedobvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art bicyclestorage devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.

To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame, agerotor attached to a main shaft within said frame, a first spoolattached to the gerotor, a biasing device connected to the first spoolapplying a biasing force to the first spool and an elongated memberattached to the first spool. The main shaft is rotatably supportedwithin the frame by a one way bearing allowing the main shaft to rotatewhen the elongated member is drawn downwardly to reduce the resistanceof the gerotor. The main shaft is supported substantially stationarywithin the frame by the one way bearing preventing the main shaft fromrotating when the elongated member is drawn upwardly onto the firstspool thereby lifting the load in a controlled manner.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofmay be better understood, and in order that the present contribution tothe art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of theinvention that will be described hereinafter and that will form thesubject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not beregarded as limiting.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a retractableload support system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior artdevices.

A second object is to provide a retractable load support system foreffectively lifting a load in a controlled manner.

Another object is to provide a retractable load support system thatconveniently lifts a load such as a bicycle into an upper storageposition within the interior of a building.

An additional object is to provide a retractable load support systemthat does not require a user to physically lift the bicycle into astorage position.

A further object is to provide a retractable load support system thatmay be utilized to lift and store various types of loads including butnot limited to bicycles.

Another object is to provide a retractable load support system thatautomatically aligns the load to a desired rotational alignment when inthe storage position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeobvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects andadvantages are within the scope of the present invention.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this inventionmay be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings areillustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described within the scope of the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of the present invention attached toa ceiling.

FIG. 2 is a front upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded upper perspective view of the present inventionillustrating the internal components of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the present invention illustrating theraising of the elongated member to lift a load.

FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the present invention illustrating thelowering of the elongated member to lower a load.

FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the present invention with the catchmember positioned partially within the recessed area of the sprocketwhen the elongated member is being lowered.

FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view of the present invention with the catchmember engaging the cogs of the sprocket in a manner to prevent raisingof the elongated member and load.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the present invention.

FIG. 11 a is a lower perspective view of the present inventionsupporting a bicycle in a lowered position.

FIG. 11 b is a lower perspective view of the present invention lifting abicycle.

FIG. 11 c is a lower perspective view of the present inventionsupporting a bicycle in a raised position.

FIG. 12 a is a side view of the present invention with the guide memberinitially engaging the vertical guide in a non-aligned position.

FIG. 13 b is a side view of the present invention with the guide memberrotating towards the aligned position.

FIG. 13 c is a side view of the present invention with the guide memberrotated into the aligned position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A. Overview

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar referencecharacters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1through 12 c illustrate a retractable load support system 10, whichcomprises a frame 30, 32, a gerotor 42 attached to a main shaft 44within said frame 30, 32, a first spool 60 attached to the gerotor 42, abiasing device connected to the first spool 60 applying a biasing forceto the first spool 60 and an elongated member 70 attached to the firstspool 60. The main shaft 44 is rotatably supported within the frame 30,32 by a one way bearing 40 allowing the main shaft 44 to rotate when theelongated member 70 is drawn downwardly to reduce the resistance of thegerotor 42. The main shaft 44 is supported substantially stationarywithin the frame 30, 32 by the one way bearing 40 preventing the mainshaft 44 from rotating when the elongated member 70 is drawn upwardlyonto the first spool 60 thereby lifting the load 14 in a controlledmanner.

B. Frame

FIGS. 1 through 12 c of the drawings illustrate the present inventionand an exemplary frame 30, 32 suitable for use with the presentinvention. The frame 30, 32 may be comprised of various other structurescapable of housing and supporting the various components of the presentinvention.

The frame 30, 32 preferably includes a first sidewall 30 and a secondsidewall 32 in opposition to one another. The first sidewall 30 and thesecond sidewall 32 are preferably comprised of substantially parallelflat structures as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 of thedrawings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5 of the drawings, a main shaft 44extends between a first sidewall 30 and a second sidewall 32 of theframe 30, 32. The main shaft 44 is rotatably supported within the frame30, 32 by a one way bearing 40 at least in one of the sidewalls 30, 32thereby allowing the main shaft 44 to rotate when the elongated member70 is drawn downwardly to reduce the resistance of the gerotor 42 asillustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 of the drawings. The main shaft 44 isprevented from rotating when the elongated member 70 is drawn upwardlyonto the first spool 60 thereby lifting the load 14 in a controlledmanner as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The main shaft 44 maybe supported by one or more one way bearings 40.

A mounting plate 20 is preferably attached to the upper portion of theframe 30, 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The mountingplate 20 preferably includes at least one aperture 22 to mount the frame30, 32 to a ceiling 12 with conventional fasteners (e.g. bolts).

C. Gerotor

A gerotor 42 is attached to the main shaft 44 as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 4 through 10 of the drawings. The gerotor 42 is for dampening theraising of the elongated member 70 onto the first spool 60 to preventthe elongated member 70 and a load 14 from being lifted in a relativelyfast manner which can damage the load 14 or the present invention.

The gerotor 42 may be comprised of any conventional positivedisplacement pump mechanism that delivers a quantity of fluid inproportion to speed. The gerotor 42 includes suction ports for drawingfluid into the gerotor 42 and discharge ports for dispensing fluid. Inthe present invention the suction ports are fluidly connected to thedischarge ports to circulate the fluid in a controlled manner to dampenthe rotation of the first spool 60 when raising the elongated member 70.As illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the gerotor 42 is comprised ofan inner rotor that is attached to the main shaft 44 that rotates withinan outer stator of the gerotor 42 to draw and dispense the fluid. Theinner rotor rotates in the same direction as the outer stator duringuse. VIAN ENTERPRISES INC. in Auburn, Calif. manufactures various typesof gerotors 42 suitable for the present invention.

D. First Spool

The first spool 60 is attached to the outer stator of the gerotor 42 asbest illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The first spool 60 iscomprised of a relatively broad structure that has sidewalls to receivethe springs 52, 56.

E. Elongated Member

An elongated member 70 is attached to the first spool 60. The firstspool 60 dispenses and receives the elongated member 70. The elongatedmember 70 is preferably comprised of any conventional flexible memberthat is capable of lifting and supporting a load 14 such as a bicycle.The elongated member 70 may be comprised of but is not limited to acable, a chain, a strap, a rope and the like. The length of theelongated member 70 is preferably sufficient to lower the load 14 closeenough to the ground for a user to remove the load 14 from the engagingmember 72.

The engaging member 72 is attached to the elongated member 70 oppositeof the first spool 60 for engaging a load 14. The engaging member 72 ispreferably comprised of a two prong hook as best illustrated in FIG. 1of the drawings, however the engaging member 72 may be comprised ofother engaging structures (e.g. single hook, clamps).

A guide member 74 is preferably attached between the elongated member 70and the engaging member 72. The guide member 74 is formed to engage thevertical guide 38 when the engaging member 72 is near the fully raisedposition as illustrated in FIGS. 12 a and 12 b of the drawings. Theguide member 74 is preferably comprised of a ring structure asillustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The guide member 74 may beintegrally formed as part of the engaging member 72 or attached to theengaging member 72.

F. Guide Structure

A guide structure 34 is preferably attached to the frame 30, 32 to guidethe elongated member 70 and to rotate the engaging member 72 into adesired rotational alignment when the engaging member 72 is in a fullyraised position. When more than one of the present invention areutilized in a close proximity to one another, it can be important toensure that the loads 14 supported by the engaging members 72 are in thesame desired rotational position to prevent the loads 14 (e.g. bicycles)from getting in contact with one another.

The guide structure 34 preferably includes a horizontal guide 36 and avertical guide 38 extending substantially transverse with respect to oneanother. The guide structure 34 is preferably supported upon a shaftextending between the first sidewall 30 and the second sidewall 32 asshown in FIG. 9 of the drawings.

The horizontal guide 36 preferably receives and guides the elongatedmember 70 within to ensure that the elongated member 70 is properlydispenses and drawn upon the first spool 60. The horizontal guide 36 ispreferably comprised of a structure including a guide hole that theelongated member 70 slidably passes through.

The vertical guide 38 extends downwardly with respect to the horizontalguide 36 as best illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings. The verticalguide 38 preferably is substantially parallel with respect to theelongated member 70 when the elongated member 70 is supporting a load14. FIGS. 12 a through 12 c illustrate how the vertical guide 38 engagesand rotates the guide member 74 so the engaging member 72 is positionedwithin a desired rotational position when in the raised position.

G. Biasing Device

At least one biasing device is connected to the gerotor 42 or otherstructure connected to the gerotor 42 for applying a biasing force tothe gerotor 42. The biasing device is for applying sufficient force tolift a load 14 attached to the engaging member 72 without significantadditional effort by a user.

The biasing device is preferably comprised of a first spring 52 and asecond spring 56. The first spring 52 and the second spring 56 are eachpreferably comprised of coiled metal band springs that are attached to asecond spool 61 in an overlapping manner. The second spool 61 isattached to the gerotor 42 thereby resulting in the application of arotational biasing force upon the outer stator of the gerotor 42. Thefirst spring 52 and the second spring 56 are further preferably attachedto a first bracket 50 and a second bracket 54 respectively wherein thebrackets 50, 54 are attached to the frame comprised of a spoolstructure.

The first spring 52 and the second spring 56 are preferably comprised ofa constant force spring, a constant torque spring or a variable forcespring. The first spring 52 and the second spring 56 jointly apply therotational force upon the gerotor 42 to cause rotation of the firstspool 60. VULCAN SPRING & MFG. CO. in Telford, Pa. manufactures suitablecoiled metal band springs for use with the present invention.

H. Ratchet Assembly

A ratchet assembly is connected to the first spool 60 to prevent raisingof the elongated member 70 when a user is pulling the elongated member70 downwardly. The ratchet assembly is preferably comprised of asprocket 68 attached to the first spool 60 with a catch member 64 inselective catchable engagement with the sprocket 68 to prevent raisingof the elongated member 70 from the force of first spring 52 and thesecond spring 56. The sprocket 68 includes a plurality of cogs and atleast one recessed area 69 as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8 ofthe drawings.

The catch member 64 is preferably pivotally attached to a support shaft62 as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings. A pivot member 65 ispreferably rotatably attached to the support shaft 62 and the catchmember 64 and the leverage member 67 are attached to the pivot member 65as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The support shaft 62 is attached tothe frame 30, 32 to support the catch member 64. The catch member 64catchably engages the cogs of the sprocket 68 when the catch member 64is in a lowering position and when the elongated member 70 is beingraised to prevent raising of the elongated member 70. The catch member64 slides over the cogs of the sprocket 68 when in a raising positionand when the elongated member 70 is being lowered to allow the elongatedmember 70 to be lowered. The catch member 64 is movable between theraising position and the lowering position when aligned with therecessed area 69 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings.

A leverage member 67 is preferably attached to the catch member 64 asshown in FIGS. 5 through 8 of the drawings. A bias member 66 is attachedto the leverage member 67 and to the frame 30, 32 for applying a biasforce to the catch member 64. The bias member 66 is preferably comprisedof a compression spring or the like.

I. Operation of Invention

In use, the present invention is attached to a ceiling 12 or a wall ofthe interior of a building structure (e.g. garage, store). The elongatedmember 70 is drawn outwardly from the first spool 60 through the guidestructure 34 in a downward manner until the engaging member 72 is ableto be connected to the load 14 (e.g. bicycle). As the elongated member70 is drawn downwardly from the first spool 60, the main shaft 44rotates thereby preventing the gerotor 42 from applying a dampeningforce upon the first spool 60 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 of thedrawings. The catch member 64 catchably engages one of the cogs of thesprocket 68 thereby preventing the first spool 60 from drawing theelongated member 70 upwardly as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings.

The load 14 is then attached to the engaging member 72 as shown in FIG.11 a of the drawings. The user then pulls downwardly upon elongatedmember 70 until the catch member 64 is positioned within the recessedportion of the sprocket 68 as shown in FIG. 6 and then releases theelongated member 70 allowing the elongated member 70 with the load 14 tobe drawn upwardly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 b of the drawings. As shownin FIG. 5 of the drawings, when the catch member 64 enters the recessedarea 69 of the sprocket 68, the catch member 64 is allowed to rotateinto the raising position whereby the catch member 64 will not catch thecogs of the sprocket 68. As further shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings,when the elongated member 70 is raised the main shaft 44 is preventedfrom rotating because of the one way bearing 40 preventing rotationalmovement in the raising rotation. When the main shaft 44 is stationary,the gerotor 42 then must rotate about the main shaft 44 simultaneouslyas the first spool 60 rotates thereby damping the rotational movement ofthe first spool 60. The dampening by the gerotor 42 prevents the firstspool 60 from drawing the elongated member 70 at an overly fast rate.The elongated member 70 is allowed to continue to raise by therotational force applied by the first spring 52 and the second spring 56with the catch member 64 sliding upon the cogs of the sprocket 68.

As the elongated member 70 is drawn upwardly, the guide member 74eventually engages the vertical guide 38 of the guide structure 34.Because the guide member 74 is comprised of a rounded or angledstructure, the guide member 74 is forced to be aligned substantiallyparallel with respect to the vertical guide 38 as illustrated in FIGS.12 a through 12 c of the drawings. When the guide member 74 engages thehorizontal guide 36, the elongated member 70 is prevented from beingraised further. The force of the first spring 52 and the second spring56 retains the load 14 in the raised position as shown in FIG. 11 c ofthe drawings.

When the load 14 is to be retrieved, the user grasps the load 14 andapplies a downward force upon the same. The first spool 60 rotates inthe free movement direction of the one way bearing 40 thereby preventingthe dampening force of the gerotor 42 from being applied. The aboveprocess is then continued so the load 14 can be removed.

What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodimentof the invention along with some of its variations. The terms,descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way ofillustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in theart will recognize that many variations are possible within the spiritand scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by thefollowing claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant intheir broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headingsutilized within the description are for convenience only and have nolegal or limiting effect.

1. A retractable load support system, comprising: a frame; a gerotorattached to a main shaft within said frame, wherein said gerotor rotatesupon said main shaft; a first spool attached to said gerotor; anelongated member attached to said first spool, wherein said first spooldispenses and receives said elongated member; an engaging memberattached to said elongated member opposite of said first spool forengaging a load; and a biasing device connected to said gerotor applyinga biasing force to said gerotor.
 2. The retractable load support systemof claim 1, wherein said main shaft is rotatably supported within saidframe by a one way bearing allowing said main shaft to rotate when saidelongated member is drawn downwardly to reduce said resistance of saidgerotor.
 3. The retractable load support system of claim 2, wherein saidmain shaft is supported substantially stationary within said frame bysaid one way bearing preventing said main shaft from rotating when saidelongated member is drawn upwardly onto said first spool thereby liftingsaid load in a controlled manner.
 4. The retractable load support systemof claim 1, wherein said main shaft extends between a first sidewall anda second sidewall of said frame.
 5. The retractable load support systemof claim 1, including a mounting plate including at least one apertureattached to said frame to mount said frame to a ceiling.
 6. Theretractable load support system of claim 1, including a guide structureattached to said frame to guide said elongated member and to rotate saidengaging member into a desired rotational alignment when said engagingmember is in a fully raised position.
 7. The retractable load supportsystem of claim 6, wherein said guide structure includes a horizontalguide.
 8. The retractable load support system of claim 6, wherein saidguide structure includes a vertical guide.
 9. The retractable loadsupport system of claim 8, including a guide member attached betweensaid elongated member and said engaging member, wherein said guidemember engages said vertical guide when said engaging member is nearsaid fully raised position.
 10. The retractable load support system ofclaim 9, wherein said guide member is comprised of a ring structure. 11.The retractable load support system of claim 1, including a second spoolattached to said gerotor and wherein said biasing device is attached tosaid second spool.
 12. The retractable load support system of claim 11,wherein said biasing device is comprised of a first spring.
 13. Theretractable load support system of claim 12, wherein said first springis comprised of a coiled metal band spring.
 14. The retractable loadsupport system of claim 13, wherein said first spring is comprised of aconstant force spring, a constant torque spring or a variable forcespring.
 15. The retractable load support system of claim 13, including afirst bracket attached to said frame, wherein said first spring isattached about said first bracket.
 16. The retractable load supportsystem of claim 13, wherein said biasing device is comprised of a secondspring attached to a second bracket, wherein said second bracket isattached to said frame.
 17. The retractable load support system of claim16, wherein said second spring is comprised of a coiled metal bandspring that overlaps said first spring on said second spool, whereinsaid second spring is comprised of a constant force spring, a constanttorque spring or a variable force spring.
 18. The retractable loadsupport system of claim 1, including a ratchet assembly connected tosaid first spool to prevent raising of said elongated member when a useris pulling said elongated member downwardly.
 19. The retractable loadsupport system of claim 18, wherein said ratchet assembly is comprisedof: a sprocket attached to said first spool, wherein said sprocketincludes a plurality of cogs and at least one recessed area; a catchmember pivotally attached to a support shaft, wherein said support shaftis attached to said frame, wherein said catch member catchably engagessaid cogs of said sprocket when in a lowering position and when saidelongated member is raised, wherein said catch member slides over saidcogs of said sprocket when in a raising position and when said elongatedmember is lowered, and wherein said catch member is movable between saidraising position and said lowering position when aligned with saidrecessed area; a leverage member attached to said catch member; and abias member attached to said leverage member and to said frame forapplying a bias force to said catch member.
 20. A retractable loadsupport system, comprising: a frame; a spool rotatably attached to saidframe; an elongated member attached to said spool; a means for applyinga biasing force to said spool; and a means for damping rotation of saidspool when raising said elongated member.
 21. A retractable load supportsystem, comprising: a frame; a gerotor attached to a main shaft withinsaid frame, wherein said gerotor rotates upon said main shaft; a firstspool attached to said gerotor; an elongated member attached to saidfirst spool, wherein said first spool dispenses and receives saidelongated member; an engaging member attached to said elongated memberopposite of said first spool for engaging a load; a biasing deviceconnected to said gerotor applying a biasing force to said gerotor;wherein said main shaft is rotatably supported within said frame by aone way bearing allowing said main shaft to rotate when said elongatedmember is drawn downwardly to reduce said resistance of said gerotor;wherein said main shaft is supported substantially stationary withinsaid frame by said one way bearing preventing said main shaft fromrotating when said elongated member is drawn upwardly onto said firstspool thereby lifting said load in a controlled manner; wherein saidmain shaft extends between a first sidewall and a second sidewall ofsaid frame; a mounting plate including at least one aperture attached tosaid frame to mount said frame to a ceiling; a guide structure attachedto said frame to guide said elongated member and to rotate said engagingmember into a desired rotational alignment when said engaging member isin a fully raised position; wherein said guide structure includes ahorizontal guide; wherein said guide structure includes a verticalguide; a guide member attached between said elongated member and saidengaging member, wherein said guide member engages said vertical guidewhen said engaging member is near said fully raised position; whereinsaid guide member is comprised of a ring structure; a second spoolattached to said gerotor and wherein said biasing device is attached tosaid second spool; wherein said biasing device is comprised of a firstspring, wherein said first spring is comprised of a coiled metal bandspring; wherein said first spring is comprised of a constant forcespring, a constant torque spring or a variable force spring; a firstbracket attached to said frame, wherein said first spring is attachedabout said first bracket; wherein said biasing device is comprised of asecond spring attached to a second bracket, wherein said second bracketis attached to said frame; wherein said second spring is comprised of acoiled metal band spring that overlaps said first spring on said secondspool, wherein said second spring is comprised of a constant forcespring, a constant torque spring or a variable force spring; and aratchet assembly connected to said first spool to prevent raising ofsaid elongated member when a user is pulling said elongated memberdownwardly, wherein said ratchet assembly is comprised of: a sprocketattached to said first spool, wherein said sprocket includes a pluralityof cogs and at least one recessed area; a catch member pivotallyattached to a support shaft, wherein said support shaft is attached tosaid frame, wherein said catch member catchably engages said cogs ofsaid sprocket when in a lowering position and when said elongated memberis raised, wherein said catch member slides over said cogs of saidsprocket when in a raising position and when said elongated member islowered, and wherein said catch member is movable between said raisingposition and said lowering position when aligned with said recessedarea; a leverage member attached to said catch member; and a bias memberattached to said leverage member and to said frame for applying a biasforce to said catch member.